Sunday, April 2, 2017

Movie Review … Ghost In The Shell


Based on a popular Japanese Manga comic-book series, ‘Ghost in the Shell’ has become its own phenomenon.  Spawning several games, books and other spin-offs, it has grown into a multi-media hit.  This isn’t the first cinematic outing for the franchise as a few animated movies have been seen.  The first live-action version, ‘Ghost in the Shell’ is just as visually dazzling as its forebears.  A feast for the eyes if not the mind, it’s a suitably spectacular tale of war and personal vengeance.

Major (Scarlett Johansson) is a human turned into a cyber-enhanced soldier.  Tasked with stopping the world’s dangerous terrorists by reading and controlling their minds, she is one of the best of her kind.  Whilst facing new threats, she discovers secrets of her past.  Stunned at the revelations, she goes on a quest to unlock buried truths and expose heinous lies.  Battling enemies from within and elsewhere, Major’s ferocity against her betrayers pushes her to emotional extremes.

Although ‘Ghost in the Shell’ has been renowned as a strikingly original property, the movie version isn’t.  Whilst amazing to look at, it’s devoid of much story-telling flair.  Much of this fault lies with Rupert Sanders’ direction which is workman-like and efficient.  He fails to add any emotional weight to Major’s quest to discover her identity and those she meets.  Whilst Johansson is never less than strong as a tortured character, Sanders and the un-compelling screenplay gives her little to work with.

The film’s best aspects are the visuals and pulsating action sequences.  Both are handled very well and bring a sense of the futuristic world of the series.  These stand out better than the predictable plot and poorly fleshed-out characters.  It’s ironic how ‘Ghost in the Shell’ has influenced many sci-fi films and yet its own outing is somewhat ho-hum.  It’s as if its central premise has been effectively mined elsewhere and now has very little else to offer.

‘Ghost in the Shell’ is disappointing on a story level but succeeds with its dazzling scenery.  It perhaps should stand alone in Manga form where creativity thrives.  On celluloid it doesn’t quite work with American influences again sapping any ounce of substance from its source material.
 


Movie Review Rating out of 10:  5

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Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at movie releases in Australia.




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Movie Review … Power Rangers

It’s easy being cynical about movie franchises.  Each instalment is set up to grab more box office dollars and offer a plethora of spin-off merchandising.  The ‘X-Men’, ‘Spider-Man’ and ‘James Bond’ series are some who have successfully extended their popularity beyond cinema screens.  Created as a TV and merchandising franchise and in 1993, the ‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’ arrived to capture children’s hearts and parent’s wallets.  After two films in the late ‘90’s squeezed more filthy lucre, a new one comes to re-energise the series and producers’ bank balance.

A group of alien warriors, the Power Rangers, must protect a magical crystal in order to maintain peace on earth.  After a fierce battle, they entrust the crystal to five human newcomers.  Among are Jason (Dacre Montgomery), Kimberley (Naomi Scott) and Billy (RJ Cyler).  Together they must face against the evil alien warrior Rita Repulsa (Elizabeth Banks).  Learning skills in order to defeat her, the Power Rangers suit up in a fight for earth’s survival no matter the cost.

‘Power Rangers’ is enjoyable nonsense in spite of itself.  One could easily pick apart the silly plot, dodgy acting and wonky direction.  That would be a disservice as the film exists purely to entertain and keep an ongoing franchise alive.  It does this with ease as the Ranger’s origin story is handled well by director Dean Israelite.  He ensures the screenplay has a light but semi-serious tone.  This enables genuine investment in the character’s backstory which gives them depth by highlighting the theme of the importance of teamwork.

The performances are satisfactory without being embarrassing.  Some are better than others although Banks clearly relishes the chance to play such a wicked role.  She knows there is no way she could play a person like Rita Repulsa in an under-stated fashion so goes for it full throttle.  The CGI is surprisingly excellent and the action is fine too.  The obvious product placement is occasionally jarring with Krispy Kreme apparently a key stake-holder in getting this made.

Not as appalling as feared ‘Power Rangers’ does an adequate job in re-building an ageing series.  It leaves room for sequels which, if done in the solid fashion here, should soften even the most hardened cynics of movie money makers.

 Movie Review Rating out of 10:  6

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Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at movie releases in Australia.




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Movie Review … The Lego Batman Movie

The director of the 1997 film ‘Batman & Robin’ once called it ‘toyetic’.  He meant it was purely a vehicle to sell more toys and related merchandise.  How right about that notorious mis-fire would he be with ‘The Lego Batman Movie’.  Basically a long Lego commercial, it can’t be anything but ‘toyetic’.  Almost as if its makers poured boxes of Lego onto the screen and see what came out, it’s silly but fun.  With a new generation embracing the yellow block of plastic, the film’s success won’t hurt sales anytime soon.

Bruce Wayne/Batman (Will Arnett) is having a bad day.  Even though he’s the cool dark knight protecting the streets of Gotham City, he wishes his usual hoard of villains would disappear.  The Joker (Zach Galifianakis), The Riddler (Conan O’Brien), Two-Face (Billy Dee Williams) and others are making his life miserable.  Added to the mix is young orphan Dick Grayson/Robin (Michael Cera) who wants to become Batman’s side-kick.  Something has to give as Batman aims to eliminate his rogue’s gallery as they hatch their most audacious plan yet.

‘The Lego Batman Movie’ sets out to be an entertaining mish-mash of the Batman mythology.  From the campy 1960’s TV series to the latest dark and brooding version, it’s all here.  They are lovingly skewered along with general superhero conventions.  The makers of ‘The Lego Batman Movie’ know it won’t win any awards and succeed in generating ongoing fun.  It doesn’t hurt having messages about working with others and asking for help.  These are blended well amongst the colourfully cartoonish mayhem.

‘The Lego Batman Movie’ certainly is colourful as it comes alive like a glittering rainbow.  All of Batman’s enemies are present and correct and voiced by an enthusiastic cast.  That it also has an actual story-line is a credit to the care taken in creating something imaginative than just having a pile of noise and action.  The film moves briskly with the myriad of in-jokes coming thick and fast.  It also proves you don’t have to be dark and sombre to be noteworthy with Batman finally letting loose after decades of moody outings.

Although ‘The Lego Batman Movie’ is a gratuitous plug for toys, it is a good film in its own right.  The animation is great, the characters are engaging and the script is consistently entertaining.  This is an all-ages movie anyone can see without any talking down to the audience.  Batman has never been more amusing with Lego shining along with Batman’s sleek Batmobile.



Movie Review Rating out of 10:  7

Agree with Patrick's Movie Review? Then please use the comment box.

Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at movie releases in Australia.


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